Jesus is in the Details
Saints Sinners Soldiers
September 29, 2019
Rev. Tim Inman
Closing 1 Corinthians, the sermon urges believers to stand firm in faith, act with courage, and let every deed be shaped by Christlike love that transforms inward selfishness into outward service.
Summary
Tim Sharp returns as the sermon closes 1 Corinthians (16:13–end), calling the church to heed Paul's final commands: be watchful, stand firm, act boldly, and let everything be done in love. Paul addresses a chaotic, inward-turned community and reframes Christian strength as the apparent weakness of Christ’s sacrificial love—true power expressed through vulnerability and service. Love for Jesus must go beyond mere niceness and reshape our inner life so we turn outward to others. The sermon uses the image of sin’s ‘inward curve’ being reversed by Jesus into an outward curve of love, and it concludes with a prayer asking God to make the congregation people who live and act in love.
Key Points
- Tim Sharp returns from sabbatical and is easing back into preaching
- Text focus: 1 Corinthians 16:13–end — “Stand firm,” “Act like men,” “Do all in love”
- Paul’s letter addresses chaos in the church and the necessity of living Christianly in community
- True Christian strength is the weakness of God in Christ—power shown through sacrificial love
- Believers must be watchful, steadfast, courageous, and motivated by love for neighbor
- Love for Jesus must transform the heart; Christianity isn’t merely being nice
- Image: sin’s inward curve is reversed by Christ into an outward curve of love and service
- Closing prayer: ask God to make us people who do all things in love and reassure us of His love
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